Congratulations, you’re engaged!
Now what?
Before you start booking vendors and thinking about all the details, you need to lay the groundwork for your wedding planning. Weddings are often large, complex events and taking the time to plan for the planning will make the process that much more enjoyable! Your vision, budget and timeline are a great place to start.
Vision: Take some time to consider the overall look and feel of your wedding. Will your day be vintage? Traditional? Sophisticated? Romantic? Do you see a small intimate group in a cozy restaurant or a huge bash in a ballroom? Will you be wed in a church, on the beach, at home? If you’re not sure exactly what your vision is, look through some pictures at sites like The Knot and Project Wedding or blogs like Style Me Pretty and Snippet & Ink. (Take a look at la Belle Bride to see a great example of vintage theme wedding with the help of Ambrosia's Catering.) If you find pictures that reflect your vision, be sure to save them for reference.
Budget: Sit down with your fiancé and figure out how much you want to spend on your wedding. If family members have offered to assist you financially, incorporate those funds into your budget. While talking about money can be uncomfortable, it’s important that everyone providing funds for the wedding is on the same page. Once you’ve determined your overall budget, use an online budget calculator to break the costs down by vendor category. Keep in mind that prices vary depending on where you live and the time of year you’re getting married. You can also adjust your budget based on where you want to splurge and where you want to save.
Timeline: Before you can book any vendors you need to choose a date, or at least a general range when you want to get married. May through August is considered “wedding season” and is the most popular time of year to get married. Choosing a date in the off-season will give you a larger variety of vendors to choose from and may enable you to score some deals. Once you’ve picked a date, you will need to secure your ceremony and reception venues, photographer, and ceremony officiant. After booking these vendors, move on to caterer, florist, musicians, cake baker, transportation and other major vendors. Ideally, all vendors are booked at least four months before the wedding.
Now is also the time to think about hiring a wedding planner. Not everyone needs a planner, but if your budget allows, it can be helpful to have a professional guide you through the planning process. A planning company offers full planning, partial planning and day-of coordination. Professional wedding planners can save you both time and money using their extensive networks of vendors and experience in event planning.
Venues and vendors can often recommend others in the wedding industry who they have worked with in the past. The Ambrosia Conference & Event Centre has worked with many great wedding vendors including:
Liz Fosdick Weddings & Events
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse
Creating Occasions
Read our wedding customers had to say about their experience with Ambrosia.
From: Ruby S
Sent: Sun Oct 03
Subject: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
Steve and Lori,
We just wanted to take a moment and let you both know how over the moon we were with your contribution to our wedding last night. You certainly had your work cut out for you with having to service a wedding mixed with Portuguese and Indian....two groups that are highly focused on food and presentation! You guys exceeded our expectations as well as out guests. We were told all night and into today how great the food was and that so many went up for 2nds and 3rds!! Just what we like to hear. I hope people had chance to compliment you as well because it is always nice to get that kind of feedback. Guests were pleased with the cocktail treats, dinner and of course dessert.
Lori, your cake was perfect..it was beyond perfect actually :) Not only was it stunning to look at but it was the best carrot cake I have ever had. I really felt like we became quick friends the last couple of weeks as the wedding drew close and you have such a wonderful sense of humor and skill. I am so glad Marc cued me to acknowledging our fabulous caterers last night, I would have been beside myself when it sunk in later.
With much much gratitude
Ruby and Marc
From: Deanna N.
Sent: Sun Oct 12
Subject: Wedding Feedback
Hi Steve,
You catered my daughters wedding on Saturday, October 9th. It was amazing! Your staff were professional, friendly, and efficient. They did the preparation, and clean up with us barely knowing they were there in the same room. They left the kitchen clean & tidy. The food was amazing! We had a lot of compliments! Everything went smoothly and the event was completely stress free for us. I would not hesitate to use your catering company again in the future and will be recommending you to others. Thank you for helping to make their day so special.
Deanna N.
